Mobile Emergency Alerts

From the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) press release: "The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today adopted a First Report and Order (Order) that will support the ability of the nation's wireless carriers to transmit timely and accurate alerts, warnings and critical information to the cell phones and other mobile devices of consumers during disasters or other emergencies."

The press release on the FCC website provides a summary of the alerting procedures, and the First Report and Order offers more details. The FCC website includes statements by FCC Commissioners.

The FCC created these rules as a result of legislation passed in 2006. H.R. 4954, commonly known as the SAFE Ports bill, includes the Warning, Alert, and Response Network Act as Title VI of the law. The final version of the law, Public Law 109-347, is available as a text file or PDF file through GPO Access.

Source: AP. (10 April 2008). "Text Alerts to Cellphones in Emergency Are Approved." New York Times.